Saturday fundraiser will help hydroplane event

COEUR d'ALENE - Take two.

But bigger and better this time around after a full year of planning, as the Diamond Cup Regatta returns in August to Lake Coeur d'Alene for the second summer in a row.

Before the racers zip across the lake Aug. 19-21, some work still needs to be done.

Like grilling, checking out old cruisers and bidding in a silent auction on Saturday during the Diamond Cup Hydromaniacs BBQ Dinner and Silent Auction.

"We'd really like people to come down and share in the memories and stories," said Doug Miller event organizer, spearheading the racers' return. "It's really good fun."

Last year, Miller helped the Seattle-based hydroplanes make their inaugural homecoming to the Lake City for a weekend. The exhibition runs, which played homage to when the vessels cruised across the local water in the 1950s and 1960s, were meant to raise funds for the Museum of North Idaho. With a short schedule to implement the show, it lost around $25,000.

This time though, the Diamond Cup Hydromaniacs have had a full year to make sure that part of history doesn't repeat itself.

"Because we have the time, we're working on corporate sponsorship packages," Miller said of the different avenues the group is taking lining up the major sponsors.

So far six hydroplanes should make the trip this year, double the three boats that blasted across the water last time.

Hydro fans, the nostalgic, or anybody else can jump start the fundraising by attending Saturday's event, which kicks off at 8 a.m. with big-time cookers grilling on Sherman Avenue in front of the Eagles, 209 E. Sherman Ave. Hotrods will be on display all day along the strip, followed by a 5 p.m. dinner and silent auction in the upstairs ballroom at the Eagles.

Aside from watching the hydroplanes roar again and making it an annual event, it's an opportunity to support a new museum with a new facility that houses Coeur d'Alene Tribe artifacts, the mining and timber industries, and historical military pieces from Fort Sherman, as well as hydroplane memorabilia.

More fundraisers and cookouts are planned for the summer, so anyone interested in helping out should contact Miller.

"The community should really come forward and be a part of it," Miller said.

For information or to volunteer, call Doug Miller at (208) 691-1612 or email [email protected].